You had me at Blur, lost me at Damon, got me back with new music, really piqued my attention with Stringer Bell, then made me wish The Wire was still on with Idris Elba. Put it all together, and you’ve got Damon Albarn recording music in Mali, Africa, with Idris Elba, Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner, and Brian Eno.

Albarn is in Bamako, the capital of Mali, as part of the Africa Express project working alongside African artists and western artists, including producer Brian Eno. The organisers behind the musical project chose Mali following a troubled 2012 for the country, which saw the northern part seized by Islamists and Tuareg rebels before a French-backed government offensive intervened.

The artists are working in Maison des Jeunes, a community centre in the capital, with Ghostpoet, Holy Other, and Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs all involved. The report from the recording sessions suggests the group are trying to make the first Africa Express album. (Via)

Now adjourn your asses to your Luther DVDs and Blur albums to see if they ever sync up.